Woodland District 50 teacher wins Gurnee award

Woodland Primary School Dual Language teacher Rian Bogdala has been recognized by the village of Gurnee as one of its three Teachers of the Year for 2015.

Bogdala will receive a plaque, a check for $1,000 and she will be formally recognized at a village board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 6.

The village introduced this award in 2015 to recognize the excellent teachers who support the students in the community. The Gurnee Teacher of the Year award will be given to a teacher from Woodland District 50, Gurnee District 56 and Warren Township High School District 121.

"Rian Bogdala is an innovative teacher who truly appreciates and respects all children," said Superintendent Joy A. Swoboda. "She is a gift to the field of public education and we as a school district are very fortunate that Rian is part of our team and will continue to influence children for years to come."

Bogdala grew up in Beach Park and earned her undergraduate degree in early childhood and elementary education from Eastern Illinois University. She is working to obtain her Masters as a reading specialist through Benedictine University. Bogdala joined Woodland Primary in 2002, where she taught kindergarten for 10 years.

Three years ago, she became instrumental in implementing the district's Dual Language Kindergarten program, and she serves as a leader on the Dual Language team.

"I want my classroom to set the stage for a lifetime of loving to learn," Bogdala said. "I hope each child who enters and exits my classroom knows that learning can be exciting, fun, and a collaborative effort among all of us. They are 'my kids,' and I believe in every single one of them."

Bogdala has embraced the use of technology in a variety of ways including daily use of iPads to promote reading and phonetic skills, SMARTBoard lessons to enhance the learning experience as well as classroom station laptops to support students with reading and learning. She teaches and uses American Sign Language with her students to add a visual and kinesthetic aspect to her teaching.

And when she is not making strides in the classroom, Bogdala enjoys spending time with her husband, a police officer at Winthrop Harbor, and their 5½-year-old daughter.